Will Varnum

Will Varnum

Will Varnum is currently serving as the Victim Services Coordinator for BRAVO (Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization). Will obtained his MSW from Widener University and moved to Columbus in 2012. It was at this point that he began working as a family therapist within a partial hospitalization program for school age children, went on to receive advanced trauma training and spent the next 4 years working clinically with youth and families. In his current role, Will serves as an advocate at BRAVO, supporting survivors of family violence, intimate partner violence, hate/bias crimes and sexual violence.

Presentation: Partners in Change: One Couple’s Experience of Transition within a Marriage

Day: Friday
Time: Breakout Session 3
Where: Delaware

Presentation Description:While positive research and resources for trans* individuals are increasing, there is still a large gap in information about the experience of transition in the context of a relationship. Partners and couples can often feel isolated or unsupported through this process. In this workshop we will share our story as a married couple going through transition. Given from both the trans* and cisgender partner’s lens, we will explore the challenges, opportunities, and resources that we have found along the way. We will also invite conversation about reframing the social dialogue around transition and change within a relationship.

Objectives:1. By the end of the session, participants will be able to identify common fears among couples experiencing transition.
2. By the end of the session, participants will be able to articulate common social assumptions around couples experiencing transition.
3. By the end of the session, participants will be able to articulate potential positive outcomes for couples experiencing transition.